Warmer weather is reviving the social sphere of the region. Since pandemic safety is still on the forefront of many establishments, outdoor seating provides more leeway for safe outings. As patrons are getting vaccinations, area restaurants are also seeing an uptick in in-person dining.
Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Meera Nagarajan joined Wednesday’s St. Louis on the Air to highlight what some of the newest food and drink additions are offering to enthused patrons.
Sauce’s latest “Hit List” features six new spots:
If you’re craving fried chicken, try the garlic cheese curds, hand-breaded chicken strips or sandwich and fries with the honey-sriracha aioli at Chuck's Hot Chicken. It’s located on 11648 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights.
Looking to expand your culinary palette? Go all out with Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, located on 9626 Olive Blvd., Olivette. It offers an eclectic menu of shabu shabu, which Sauce describes as a Japanese-style dish served with thinly sliced, raw protein cooked tableside inside a simmering pot of broth. The magazine also recommends trying the Taiwanese popcorn chicken or basil stir-fried eggplant.
More spots are opening south of St. Louis, such as Twisted Tavern on 3606 W. Outer Road, Arnold. Sauce recommends trying the steak sandwich and pairing it with a chopped salad packed with goodies.
To satisfy a sweet tooth, Alibi Cookies offers their warm delights 24 hours every day. Housed in their mobile “CookieBot” vending machine — located on 1136 Tamm Ave, St. Louis — are classic flavors including chocolate chunk, s’mores cookie, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin.
Another mobile food option is the Locoz Tacoz food truck near South City bar Tres Equis. Located on 3169 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, standout selections include: the pineapple-laced pork al pastor tacos and the nacho-eque Locoz Fries.
A new brewery worth the drive is Old Bridgeview Brewing on 16 E. Front St., Washington. Among its highlights are views of the Missouri River and the Fraulein Hilda beer and flavoring it with their autumnal spiced pear house-made syrup. Food at the establishment includes a pub pretzel served with beer-cheese sauce and a pulled pork-grilled cheese sandwich.
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill and Lara Hamdan. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.